The Secretary shall establish a Rural Collaborative Investment Program to support comprehensive regional investment strategies for achieving rural competitiveness.

(b) Duties of Secretary

In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall—

(1)appoint and provide administrative and program support to the National Board;

(2)establish a national institute, to be known as the “National Institute on Regional Rural Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship”, to provide technical assistance to the Secretary and the National Board regarding regional competitiveness and rural entrepreneurship, including technical assistance for—

(A)the development of rigorous analytic programs to assist Regional Boards in determining the challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed to receive the greatest regional competitive advantage;

(B)the provision of support for best practices developed by the Regional Boards;

(C)the establishment of programs to support the development of appropriate governance and leadership skills in the applicable regions; and

(D)the evaluation of the progress and performance of the Regional Boards in achieving benchmarks established in a regional investment strategy;

(3)work with the National Board to develop a national rural investment plan that shall—

(A)create a framework to encourage and support a more collaborative and targeted rural investment portfolio in the United States;

(B)establish a Rural Philanthropic Initiative, to work with rural communities to create and enhance the pool of permanent philanthropic resources committed to rural community and economic development;

(C)cooperate with the Regional Boards and State and local governments, organizations, and entities to ensure investment strategies are developed that take into consideration existing rural assets; and

(I)private sector business organizations, including chambers of commerce and other for-profit business interests;

(J)Indian tribes; and

(K)cooperative organizations.

(4) Selection of members

(A) In general

In selecting members of the National Board, the Secretary shall consider recommendations made by—

(i)the chairman and ranking member of each of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;

(ii)the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate; and

(iii)the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(B) Ex-officio members

In consultation with the chairman and ranking member of each of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, the Secretary may appoint not more than 3 other officers or employees of the Executive Branch to serve as ex-officio, nonvoting members of the National Board.

(5) Term of office

(A) In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), the term of office of a member of the National Board appointed under paragraph (1)(A) [1] shall be for a period of not more than 4 years.

(B) Staggered terms

The members of the National Board shall be appointed to serve staggered terms.

(6) Initial appointments

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, the Secretary shall appoint the initial members of the National Board.

(7) Vacancies

A vacancy on the National Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(8) Compensation

A member of the National Board shall receive no compensation for service on the National Board, but shall be reimbursed for related travel and other expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the member of the National Board in accordance with section
5702 and
5703 of title
5.

(9) Chairperson

The National Board shall select a chairperson from among the members of the National Board.

(10) Federal status

For purposes of Federal law, a member of the National Board shall be considered a special Government employee (as defined in section
202(a) of title
18).

(f) Administrative support

The Secretary, on a reimbursable basis from funds made available under section
2009dd–7 of this title, may provide such administrative support to the National Board as the Secretary determines is necessary.